Greece Flashcards
GREECE: HISTORY
Around what time was the Golden Age, the height of Greek wine culture?
500 - 300 BCE
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What Latitude are most of Greece’s vineyards located at?
34° - 42° N
Similar to: Adelaide to Tasmania
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What is the general climate?
NOT inland temps
Mediterranean
Long, hot summers, short mild winters
summer temps over 30°C - can get to 45°C
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What is the inland climate?
Continental
Summer even hotter, and winter below freezing
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What can specifically be an issue in areas of Northern Greece?
Because of the continental climate
Spring Frost
Areas like Amyndeon
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What moderating factors means winegrowing conditions can vary?
Very Mountainous
Best vineyards at altitude to moderate temps
Also - coastal areas
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What factors can affect grape growing on the Islands?
such as Santorinin
Strong onshore winds
Stop photosynthesis, interrupt flowering and berry-set and delay ripenin
Also very dry, increasing water stress
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What soil types can generally be found?
Wide-ranging
Limestone to volcanic
Varies even in small areas
GREECE: GROWING ENVIRONMENT
What soil feature makes for vineyards ideal for high-quality wines?
Soils tend to be low fertility
Farmers reserve fertile areas for lucrative/demanding crops
Low yield, but ideal for high quality characterful wines
GREECE: VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
How many Ha of vineyards in Greece are for winemaking?
61,500ha
the remainder of the total of 106,000ha is for table/drying grapes
GREECE: VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
What does the average vineyard size of 0.5ha mean?
Many of which are worked by hand in rough terrain
Many growers sell their grapes to big producers or co-ops
Or provide tiny, local volumes
GREECE: VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
What benefit to sustainibility do hot, dry conditions bring?
Which more and more producers are seeking
Makes them suitable for Organic and Biodynamic viticulture
Many growers have been practicing for centuries - chemicals are recent
GREECE: VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
What is usual training practice?
And what local conditions lead to alternatives?
Majority trellised, cordon-trained with VSP
some areas, like Santorini, specific trellis and pruning systems
Santorini: High wind, low rainfall
GREECE: VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
Is Irragation permitted?
And what grapes benefit most?
Yes (always drip)
International varieties, Cab Sav, Merlot as indig. tend to be resistant
Water retention of soil always key
GREECE: GRAPE VARIETIES
What varieties account for 90% of all plantings?
Indigenous varieties
Of which there are a great many - around 60 types grown in significance
Estimates of around 300 overall
